Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - A weekly computer publication featuring tips, tricks, website & freeware picks, answers to your computer questions and more!

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Sandy asks us about Telikin
Hello Expert people. My husband got an ad in one of his magazines and was wondering if it's a good one. It's about a computer called Telikin. Says it is for seniors. He is not savvy when it comes to computers. He can turn one on but that's about it. Have you ever heard of this? It doesn't say how much it is, just gives an 800 number to call. But I told hubby I would ask you before he calls. So he is on hold till I hear from you. He trusts you when I say: "I'm asking Cloudeight". Thanks, good people. Sandy.

Our answer
Hi Sandy. Thanks for your kind words. In our opinion, Telikin borders on a scam.

The cheapest Telikin computer is $699. It has an 18.6-inch screen and a 320-gigabyte HDD (standard hard drive). The second model, which sells for $999 has a 20-inch screen and a 500-GB HDD. Both have touchscreens. Each model runs on Linux (not Windows) and has 2 GB of memory (RAM), a DVD drive, and a memory card reader.

Telikin seems scammy to us. They are selling "Senior-friendly" computers for $700 and $1000 with only 2 GB of RAM and a 500 GB standard hard drive (HDD). It's not a Windows computer, it is a Linux computer.

You can buy a Windows computer with 12 GB of RAM, a touchscreen, and a 500 GB SSD (solid state hard drive) for less than $600.

Telikin also includes a "tech support plan" for which customers pay a monthly service fee (one plan is $14.95 a month). According to several complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau that service plan is almost impossible to cancel. The BBB has received many complaints about this and other issues with Telikin.

Our advice? Don't fall for this supposedly "Senior Friendly" computer "deal". You'll be paying way too much for a computer with cheap hardware and a Linux operating system.

If you need help buying a new computer, we'll be glad to send some recommendations your way.

We hope this helps your husband make a good decision.

--------

Sandy wrote back: "Thank you, TC. I printed your answer and gave it to my husband. He said: 'Thank you, that's what we wanted to know.' I don't do anything till I check with you people. You're the most trustworthy people on the internet... and everywhere. Thank you so much. A faithful follower. Sandy."

Sharon says she lost the folder list on the left side of her screen
I have lost the list on the left of the screen (downloads docs, etc.). Use to have them on the taskbar - it is gone. Keep up the good work you guys are doing to help all of us. Thanks. Sharon.

Our answer

Hi Sharon. Thanks so much. Try this... Hold down the Windows key and press the e key. It will open File Explorer. While File Explorer is open, look in your taskbar and you will see its icon ( it looks like a folder icon). Click on that icon and choose "Pin to taskbar". Now when you click on that icon you'll see a list of your folders, etc. on the left side of your screen.

Let me know if this helps you, Sharon.
------
Sharon wrote back: "Of course it worked. You fixed it. Not the way it was before but I like it better...Thanks! Stay warm up there. Sharon"

LeRoy was victimized by a scammer posing as an HP support tech
My HP Office Jet Pro 8130e printer started giving me connection problems 2 days ago, Oct 17. First I was getting "out of paper" when I tried to print a Word document but there was no problem when I wanted a test on it. This morning I removed the printer from my network and reinstalled it and started getting low ink error messages and would not print. Yesterday I contacted HP support and after the individual checked my computer I was told I had many services disabled by a virus and that he would fix it with an annual fee of $149. I did not know what that had to do with my printer. I'm not sure what is going on with my computer. Can you help?

Our answer

Hi LeRoy. You were scammed. You could buy 2 new HP inkjet printers for less than $149. If you paid any money to these tech support scammers call your bank or credit card company and tell them you were scammed they can stop payment and you'll get your money back.

This is one of the oldest tech support scam techniques in the world - connecting to a computer and then finding "dozens" or "hundreds" of viruses or errors then charging you to fix non-existent errors. Please make sure you don't allow people you don't know to connect to your computer and "fix" problems that don't exist.

The way to fix your printer is to uninstall it (correctly) and then download the complete installation package from the official HP website. Restart your computer and then reinstall your printer using the installation software and instructions you downloaded (or using the free "HP Smart" app).

Remember: You have to be extremely careful when searching for "printer drivers" or you'll end up with a list of scammers ready to take your money.

We charge $50 for a complete checkup/cleanup/repair that includes removing malware - you can learn more at https://thundercloud.net/direct/.

And while we don't set up wireless printers we can provide you a simple customized tutorial on how to fix your printer problems - all we need is the make and model of your printer.

Remember, LeRoy: If you paid the scammers any money call your bank or credit card company immediately and report this scam. There's a good chance you'll be able to get your money back if you paid the scammers anything.

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Dennis says "Why isn't Emsisoft working?"
Windows Security and McAfee keep popping up telling me my computer is at risk. The pop-ups say I have virus threats. Why doesn't my Emsisoft take care of them? The only way I can get rid of the popups is to restart the computer. Then after a while, they reappear.

Our answer
Hi Dennis. Emsisoft is not an adblocker, it's an antimalware/antivirus. You need to clear your browser's history and cache. These warnings are not real warnings, they're scam ads. They are not popping up from your computer, they're popping up from your browser. The ads stop appearing when you restart your computer and don't reappear again until after you open your browser. So clear your browser's history and cache and the fake warnings (ads) will stop. If you are not sure how to clear your browser's history & cache, let me know what browser you use and I'll send you instructions. .

Myra gets a serious hard drive error message
A few days ago I got this on my computer and I can't get passed it. Does this mean I have to get a new computer??? It is an HP All-In-One Desktop about 10 years old. Here is the message in the box.

"Boot Device not found---Please install an operating system on your hard drive---Hard Disk-(3F0)---F2-system diagnostics---For more information, please visit: http:www.hp.com/gotechcenter/startup"

Thank you for your help. Myra.

Our answer
Hi Myra. The error message "Hard Disk 3F0" indicates that your computer's BIOS or UEFI is unable to find a bootable device to load the operating system. This means that the computer cannot find the necessary system files to start up properly. It could mean the hard drive is bad or it could mean there's a problem with the BIOS (UEFI), or it could mean the boot files are corrupted.

You can boot the computer using a Windows 10 or Windows 11 boot disk, but if the hard drive is bad you may not be able to access your files or reinstall Windows.

The error message "Hard Disk 3F0" indicates that your computer's BIOS or UEFI is unable to find a bootable device to load the operating system. This means that the computer cannot find the necessary system files to start up properly.

It could mean the hard drive is bad or it could mean there's a problem with the BIOS (UEFI), or it could mean the boot files are corrupted.

You can boot the computer using a Windows 10 or Windows 11 boot disk, but if the hard drive is bad you may not be able to access your files or reinstall Windows.

If the hard drive is bad you'll need to install a new drive or buy a new computer. Since your computer is 10 years old you might be money ahead to buy a new computer. While a new hard drive is not expensive - having someone put it in for you and then installing the operating system (in your case Windows) can cost around $200 to $300 or more. So, it might be wiser just to put that money toward a new computer since your hardware is already 10 years old.

We can help save you money when choosing a new computer if it comes to that. We are sorry this happened to you, Myra. If you need any more help, just let us know.

Cathy wants to know more about Privacy Bee
Can you do a story on Privacy Bee? I was wondering if you approve or don't what it does and stands for. I just happened to come across it today.

Our answer
Hi Cathy. Privacy Bee, Aura, and many others offer paid privacy services. They offer free scans that will most likely result in showing that your personal info is scattered all over the web, but to remove all the info about you, you have to pay. Privacy Bee's lowest-priced option is $197 per year when paid annually. It is one of the most expensive privacy services available.

Privacy Bee claims "After you signup, we’ll immediately start scanning for your privacy vulnerabilities, then we’ll delete your info from all major Data Brokers and People Search Sites..." and there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of data brokerages and people search sites all willing to sell your info for a price.

I checked and Privacy Bee has a 5-star, A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. So I would say Privacy Bee is a reputable company providing a (sadly) oft-needed service.

We have not tested their services, but if you're concerned about your name, address, phone numbers, etc. being available to anyone with the money to buy that information online then it might be worth $197. Privacy Bee is more expensive than other privacy services such as Aura ($108 /annually).

I hope this helps you, Cathy.

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium -Tips & Tricks

How to Change Your Windows User Account Name
Windows 10 / Windows 11

We've had several people ask us how to change their Windows user account name. Some of you may be stuck with a user account with a name like Owner. Unless your name is "Owner" you might want to change it to "Bill" or "Polly" - or "Skippy or whatever your name is or whatever name tickles your fancy.

It's not hard to do... so if you want to change your Windows user account name, here's how.

1. Type NETPLWIZ in the taskbar search and press Enter when it appears in the search results.

2. Click on the account you want to change

3. Click on "Properties"

4. A dialog will open with the current username highlighted. Click Delete and type in a new name.

5. Click "Apply" then "OK".

But whoa! Keep in mind this does not change the folder locations. For instance, Pictures will still be located at C:\Users\User\Pictures and Documents will still be at C:\Users\User\Documents, etc. Changing the username does not change the user folder locations. If you try to change those locations, you risk losing data and corrupting the user account. If you really want a new user account name, create a completely new user account with the name you want and then copy all the data from all your user folders (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, Videos, Music, etc.) to the user folders in your new account. But, to me, this seems like a lot of work especially if you're the only one who's ever going to see it.

All that aside, if you want to change your apparent user name, now you know how to do it.

A Simple Multitasking Trick
Windows 10 / Windows 11

Did you know that in Windows 10 and 11 the Windows key + Tab key shortcut shows all your open programs on your desktop? That’s right! When you use the Windows key + Tab key shortcut, you can see all open programs on your desktop at once.

Let’s take a look…

Above: Windows 10

Windows 11 - Windows Key _ Tab - Cloudeight InfoAve

Above: Windows 11

If you’re using Windows 10 or 11 and you want to see how many programs you have open – just press and hold the Windows Key and tap the Tab key. And you can click on any “thumbnail” and bring that program or app into focus. You can also close any of the programs by clicking on the “X” in the top-right corner of any of those open programs/apps without bringing them into focus… that’s correct, you can close any open program or app from its “thumbnail” on the desktop you see when you use the Windows key + Tab key shortcut.

Before You Do a Windows Reset - Try This
Windows 10 / Windows 11

If your computer is running poorly and/or Windows features are missing, not working, or slow to load, resetting Windows will almost always help. Resetting Windows 10 or Windows 11 will keep all your personal files, but you'll need to reinstall all the programs that didn't come with Windows. And if you have a lot of programs installed that you need and use, it can take a while.

Before you resort to resetting Windows 10 or Windows 11, always try this tip first.

1. Type CMD in the taskbar search.

2. When you see "Command Prompt" appear, right-click it and choose "Run as administrator".

3. At the prompt type:

SFC /SCANNOW and press Enter. (Note the slash between SFC and the slash.)

Cloudeight InfoAve Windows 10 Tips

SFC (System File Checker) will take some time to run. It will tell you when it's finished. When SFC finishes running, do not close the Command Prompt window.

4. Type the following at the prompt in the Command Prompt window:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth

Be certain you copy & paste that command - or type it exactly as shown - including the spaces.

DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management. You can use DSIM /Online/ Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to scan the Windows image for component store corruption and perform repair operations automatically. It can take from 10 minutes to over an hour to run .. depending on how much needs to be repaired.

Running these two commands in this order can fix many Windows problems and the risk level is zero. So, if you're having serious problems with Windows 10 or Windows 11, this tip may save you a lot of time... and a lot of work.

Want more tips, tricks, and information?

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Cloudeight InfoAve Premium -Tips & Tricks

PassMark Disk Checkup: The SMART Way to Monitor Your Hard Drive

As your computer gets older, the chances of its hard drive failing increases. So it’s always good to check your hard drive occasionally to make sure it’s in good working order. There are several ways to do this but not many of them are better than PassMark DiskCheckup.

PassMark DiskCheckup is a free, user-friendly tool designed to monitor the health of your hard disk drives (HDDs). Using the SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) data provided by your hard drive, DiskCheckup offers insights into potential issues that could lead to future hard drive failures. So it’s particularly useful for users who want to monitor their drives and take preventive measures to avoid data loss.

Here Are Some of the Main Features of PassMark DiskCheckup

SMART Attribute Monitoring: DiskCheckup displays critical SMART attributes like temperature, read/write error rates, and power-on hours.

Threshold Warnings: It alerts you when SMART attributes approach their threshold values, indicating potential problems.

Easy-to-Read Interface: The software presents information clearly and concisely, making it accessible to users of all levels.

PassMark regularly updates DiskCheckup to ensure compatibility with newer hard drive models and to incorporate improvements.

PassMark DiskCheckup is comprehensive, easy-to-use and it’s free.

PassMark DiskCheckup - A Cloudeight InfoAve Freeware Pick

Here’s what PassMark has to say…

PassMark DiskCheckup™ allows the user to monitor the SMART attributes of a particular hard disk drive. SMART (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) is a feature on a computer’s hard disk for providing various monitoring indicators of disk reliability. If SMART is enabled on a hard disk, the system administrator can receive analytical information from the hard drive to determine a possible future failure of the hard drive.

SMART monitors elements of possible long term drive failure, such as ‘Spin Up Time’, the number of start/stops, the number of hours powered on and the hard disk temperature.

DiskCheckup displays the current values of the SMART attributes, along with the Threshold value for that attribute. If an attribute drops below its threshold, the drive cannot guarantee that it will be able to meet its specifications in the future.

Note that SMART attributes change slowly over time and are helpful attempts to diagnose the life span of a particular drive. DiskCheckup monitors these changes over a long period and predict the date (if available) of the Threshold Exceed Condition (TEC), which is displayed on the main window.

DiskCheckup can also execute built-in Disk Self-Test (DST) routines implemented by the vendor to detect drive failures. There are two main self-test routines: Short Test and Extended Test. The results of these tests are displayed in DiskCheckup…

DiskCheckup also displays device information, such as the drive geometry, serial number, model number, media rotation rate, and supported features. The real-time activity of the disk is also displayed and updated periodically…

DiskCheckup can be configured to send e-mail notifications when a SMART attribute has been detected to be less than the allowable threshold value. Such threshold values are determined by the hard disk manufacturer. For a drive to be considered “good”, all the SMART attributes must be above these values. Different SMART attributes have different threshold values…

Visit this page to learn more about and/or download PassMark PassMark DiskCheckup.

May your hard drive never fail!

Cloudeight InfoAve Premium - Essays , Rants, etc.

The King of Cheap Computers

The Computer Buying Guide for Poor Folk

I was reading an article about beer, which has nothing to do with computers, you might think. But it does. I always wanted to be a sommelier and say things like, “Oh, this wine has a nice nose,” or “it has hints of blackberry and oak.” But you know what, they make that stuff up, I swear. I’ve never tasted a wine with a nose or that reeked of blackberry and oak. And worse yet, I just read an article from a guy who claims to be a beer-tasting expert, warning people about the consequences of buying cheap beer. There’s no such thing as a bad beer; some are just better than others. Which brings me to today’s subject: Cheap Computers.

Not many days go by that we don’t get a question from someone shopping for a new Windows computer asking: “What should I look for in a new computer?” And we always give the same answer – RAM RAM RAM, the size of screen you like, and unless you’re going to be doing wild 3D graphics, or heavy-duty databases, or you’re an AI nut, then just about any processor that supports Windows 11 will support you fairly well.

Which brings me to my point: I’m the king of cheap computers...

Read the rest of this essay here.

What is portable software?

Imagine a gym bag or carry-on suitcase with a handle loaded with software. Imagine lugging it with me everywhere you go. That's what portable software is. You can lug it around with you. NO! That's not what it is. No lugging is needed. Portable software does not have to be installed, so you can take it with you and run programs or programs from a USB flash drive. You can't do that with installed software...portable software only, please.

Most of the software most of you use is installed software. That's the kind you install, and it adds a shortcut to your desktop and maybe to your start menu and task bar - and that adds things, sometimes quite a lot of things, to your registry. And somehow many of you have the opinion that portable versions are ersatz versions of the real software, but that's not true - in fact, there are many good reasons to opt for the portable version over the installed version whenever you have such a choice.

Now you want to know why? Good, we are going to tell you why. The first thing we'll point out is that if something doesn't install, it doesn't bundle things in its installer. And anytime you can feel pretty confident about putting a program on your computer without having to sit like an armed sentry waiting to see what crazy software the installer is going to try to sneak into your computer without your knowledge If you don't pay attention to these kinds of bundled installers, you're going to have a mess - a big mess - that's not going to be easy to get rid of. You'd think it would be illegal to ruin someone's computer, but there's no law we know of against software bundling because in the tiny print of the 5000-word EULA there's probably legalese saying that if you install this software you are agreeing to everything and you can't come back at the software manufacturer even if your computer ceases to function.

And the second reason you should choose portable over installed software is that portable software makes no changes to your registry, and adds no shortcuts to your start menu, taskbar, or desktop. And best of all, to uninstall portable software, all you have to do is right-click on it and choose "Delete" and it's gone, gone, gone I tells ya!

And the final reason why portable software is better than installed software is, it never helps itself to a place in your Windows startup programs list, like so many installed software programs do.

For those reasons and more we probably haven't even thought of, we always choose portable versions over installed versions when we have a choice. There are exceptions of course, but for most applications, a portable version offers all of the features and none of the drawbacks.

A portable version runs when you click it (or it's a shortcut if you made one), and it's uninstalled when you right-click it and delete it. It doesn't make any changes to your computer and you can even put it on a flash drive and take it with you.

So, then next time you have a choice between a portable version and a version that comes with an installer, choose the portable version. We think you'll be happier, and your computer will be happier too.

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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly. Thanks so much for your support and for being an InfoAve Weekly subscriber.

Have a great weekend. Be safe!

Darcy & TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - Issue #1142
Volume 22, Number 45
August 29, 2025

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